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Thursday, March 20, 2014

The countdown is on. A solar eclipse will be visible in the Faroe Islands in less than a year. Here's more from our good friends at Visit Faroe Islands...

ONE YEAR TO GO UNTIL THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN THE FAROE ISLANDS

Total solar eclipse, 20 March 2015, 9:41am - the Faroe Islands will be one of only two places in the world where this natural phenomenon can be observed from land (the other is Svalbard). Travel to this remote and green archipelago of 18 tiny islands, inhabited by just 40,000 people and 70,000 sheep. Hills, valleys, waterfalls and lakes form the part of the landscape, the dramatic cliffs are a favourite with seabirds, and the surrounding waters are dotted with spectacular seastacks, some steeped in legend.

The first record of a total solar eclipse in the Faroe Islands was 30 May 1612 at 11:25am. An ancient story goes that four quarrelsome brothers from the village of Sumba were tending to their sheep and arguing, when they were suddenly shrouded in darkness. They were petrified and promised the Lord that if they lived through the terrible experience, they would live harmoniously. The sun soon reappeared and the brothers never quarrelled again.

During the week of 20 March, eclipse parties, gatherings and festivals will take place across the Faroe Islands. Please see the Total Solar Eclipse website for the latest information.

Access: A special direct flight from London, to coincide with the eclipse, will be operated by Atlantic Airways. Please contact the airline direct on booking@atlantic.fo (online bookings are not possible). An alternative option if to fly via Copenhagen, Oslo or Keflavik.

Accommodation: Most hotels are fully-booked already, but there is plenty of B&B, guesthouse or home stay accommodation available (as well as camping options). Please see the Total Solar Eclipse website or email solareclipse@torshavn.fo

This week, we look back at the first day of the 2013 G! Festival. The three-day event typically starts on a Thursday with a somewhat shorter bill of artists than in the following days. But there was no shortage of great music.

We'll hear a little music from Marius (pictured, above), Frostfelt, and BYRTA. We'll also explore the new features and venues the G! Fest added.

Our recap of the G! Festival comes a little later than it has in previous years. As a matter of fact, the festival has already started announcing acts for this year's event. You can see who's playing this July at the G! Festival website.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

This week, another conversation with Birgir Kruse. This time, we're talking about Faroese media. The past 9 months have seen a serious shakeup in the media landscape. The country's biggest and oldest paper died, a new internet portal was born, and the TV news took the entire summer off. Birgir will help us make sense of it all.

Then we'll head off to a small village (pictured, above) that is home to a few industrial installations and was supposed to be home to most of the Faroe Islands' international shipping. Just what happened? We'll try to sort it our.

Friday, March 7, 2014

On this week's show, we talk about sports. Specifically, we talk about soccer, or football if that's what you call it... we're not going to start that fight again.

Anyway, we'll hear some highlights from the Faroe Islands epic win against Gibraltar last week, and see who the Faroes will play in the qualifying rounds of EURO 2016. Then our good friend Heri Simonsen will talk to a German football coach who was in the Faroes last week.

Finally, we'll drive up a hill and arrive at one of the most beautifully situated jails on earth.

Past guests & shows

Episode 8:

In this special edition of the podcast, we travel to Portland, Oregon to talk with the leader of Faroese metal band Tyr. We also ask some people in line what they know about the Faroes, and take a drive to the bottom of the ocean.

Guest: Heri Joensen

Episode 7:

In this mini-podcast, we hear the remainder of Jenny's interview, get an update on a Danish reality program, and get a preview of next week's special podcast.

Guest: Jennifer Henke

Episode 6:

In episode six, we speak with an American woman who splits her time between San Francisco and the Faroes. We also meet a Faroese musician who won the right to play at South by Southwest in Austin. And we take a stroll among the trees (what few there are) in Torshavn.

Guests: Jennifer Henke and Høgni Lisberg

Episode 5:

In this episode, we hear about the Faroese music scene, learn about a pivotal moment in Faroese history, and listen to the Law Thing.

Guests: Jón Tyril and Hans Andrias Sølvará

Episode 4:

In episode four, we get a lesson in the history of Faroese politics, learn about a TV series being shot in the Faroes, and take a trip to the airport.

Guest: Hans Andrias Sølvará

Episode 3:

In this episode, we learn about the upcoming G! Festival, talk to the woman responsible for attracting tourists to the Faroe Islands, and stand in the center of Torshavn.

Guest: Elin Brimheim Heinesen

Episode 2:

In the second edition of the podcast, we debunk some common myths about the Faroe Islands, take a walk through the mall, and try once more to pronounce the word "Torshavn."

Guest: Michael Paul Reveal

Episode 1:

In this first edition of the Faroe Islands Podcast, we hear a little news about the Faroes, get some background on the islands, and hear a field recording taken in Torshavn. That, and the host mispronounces some Faroese words.